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Sunday, March 30, 2014

More individual Californians purchased a Honda Civic than any
other vehicle in 2013, according to new-vehicle registration data now
available from Polk, which was recently acquired by IHS. Individual
California car buyers purchased 65,910 Civics in 2013, more than any
other vehicle in the state when subtracting sales to government and
corporate fleet buyers. California is the largest vehicle market in the
United States.
"Retail sales leadership is the ultimate seal of approval, and
Californians have made Civic the clear winner," said John Mendel,
executive vice president of automobile sales for American Honda Motor
Co., Inc. "Our focus on individual buyers is unmatched in the industry,
and reflects our commitment to Honda customers and the investment they
make in our products."
Nationally, the Honda Civic ranked as the top-selling compact car
in America with total sales of 336,180 units – and was one of three
Honda models in the U.S. with sales of more than 300,000 units in 2013,
with the Accord, Civic and CR-V combining to sell more than one million
units.
Honda has further improved the Civic for the 2014 model year with
more performance, increased fuel economy, and additional new features
including LaneWatch™ blind spot monitor, Smart Entry with Push Button
Start, and Display Audio with 7-inch capacitive touchscreen. The 2014
Civic also marks the introduction of the HondaLink™ Next Generation
connected-car technology.
"The value proposition of Civic just keeps getting better," added Mendel.
Based on IHS Automotive, Polk U.S. new retail vehicle registration data for 2013 in the Honda small car segment.
The 2014 Civic is available as a 4-door sedan and 2-door coupe, and
with gasoline, gas-electric hybrid and compressed natural gas
powertrains. For customers interested in the ultimate performance Civic,
there is the Civic Si Sedan and Si Coupe, both offering added
performance, features and refinement for 2014.
Honda has been named the Most Trusted Brand by Kelley Blue Book for
two consecutive years (2012 and 2013) and the Best Value Brand by
Automotive Lease Guide for six years in a row (2008 through 2013), in
part due to the consistently high resale value of its products.About Honda
Honda offers a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive
automobiles for American car buyers through approximately 1,000
independent U.S. Honda dealers. The Honda lineup includes the Accord,
Crosstour, Civic, Fit, CR-Z, Insight and FCX Clarity passenger cars
along with the Pilot, Odyssey and CR-V sport-utility vehicles, the
Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan. Honda has the highest brand
fuel economy1, the most top safety-rated2 vehicles and the longest-lasting cars3
of any mainstream automotive brand in America. Honda also has been
producing automobiles in America for more than 30 years and currently
operates 15 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2013,
more than 94 percent of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in U.S. were
made in North America using domestic and globally sourced parts.

###1 Based on model year 2012 fuel economy data from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and its report: "Light-Duty Automotive
Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975
Through 2013"
2 Based on the number of models by automotive brand that
earn a TOP SAFETY PICK or TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety for model year 2014.
3 Longevity based on IHS Automotive, Polk U.S.
vehicles in operation registration statistics 1988-2012 for Honda and
non-luxury competing brands.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

The 2014 Honda Odyssey (automobiles.honda.com/odyssey/) has won the 'Best Minivan for Families' award for the fourth consecutive year as part of U.S. News & World Report's annual 'Best Cars for Families'
honors. The top safety-rated1, best-selling2 Odyssey was praised for
gathering excellent reviews from professional auto critics along with
its innovative feature content, including the world's-first in-vehicle
vacuum system, HondaVac™.
"The Odyssey was designed to excel in one of the harshest
environments on earth, daily family use," said Mike Accavitti, senior
vice president of automobile operations for American Honda. "Being named
'Best Minivan for Families,' four years in a row speaks volumes about
the Odyssey's singular commitment to be the ultimate family vehicle."
U.S. News considered 210 vehicles for the 'Best Cars for Families'
awards. The award methodology combines professional automotive reviews,
safety and reliability ratings, seating and cargo volume and the
availability of family-friendly features. Within each of the 19
automotive categories, the vehicle with the highest composite score is
named the Best Car for Families in that category.
The 2014 Honda Odyssey, the top-selling minivan in the U.S. in 2013 to individual buyers2,
continues to lead its class in fuel economy and safety ratings, while
providing spacious accommodations for up to eight passengers and a
refined and engaging driving experience. The Odyssey was the only
minivan to qualify as a 2014 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+, and the Odyssey has earned the best possible overall safety rating from NHTSA with a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score.3
Additionally, the Odyssey is rated at a remarkable 28 mpg4 Highway, the
highest EPA highway fuel economy rating of any eight-passenger minivan.
1 The Odyssey was the only minivan to qualify as a
2014 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ as of March 1, 2014 and the Odyssey has
earned the best possible overall safety rating from NHTSA with a 5-Star
Overall Vehicle Score.2 Based on IHS Automotive, Polk new-vehicle retail registration data through the end of December 2013.3 Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov).
Model tested with standard side airbags (SABs). Vehicles tested under
the new program cannot be compared to MY10 and earlier vehicles.4 Based on 2014 EPA mileage ratings. Use for
comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how
you drive and maintain your vehicle.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Japanese automakers manufacturing in the United States is nothing new. But it was in November of 1982 when the first Honda Accord
rolled off the assembly line in Marysville, OH. It was the first
Japanese vehicle assembled in the US, and in the nearly 32 years since, Honda
has made 10 million Accords here for a total of 20 million cars
manufactured in America – enough to span from New York to San Francisco
twenty times. It's that double landmark which Honda is now celebrating.

Honda has come a long way in those three decades, keeping that original
plant in Marysville on line while expanding to three more – in East
Liberty, OH; Lincoln, AL; and Greensburg, IN – with a fifth plant (the
Performance Manufacturing Center) opening on the same site in Marysville
to build the Acura NSX next year. It also builds engines in Lincoln and
in Anna, OH, and automatic transmissions at Russells Point, OH, and
Tallapoosa, GA.

Between those seven sites, Honda produces 11 different models, including the Accord, Civic, Crosstour, CR-V, Pilot, Odyssey and Ridgeline as well as the Acura ILX, TL, RDX and MDX.
Production keeps on ramping up as Honda produced a record 1.3 million
vehicles in the US last year, 95 percent of which are sold in the US.
Scope out the details in the press release below and click the image above to see it all laid out in a handy infographic.

The 10 millionth U.S.-built Honda Accord rolled off the assembly line
today at Honda's first U.S. auto plant in Marysville, Ohio, as all four
Honda auto plants in America celebrated the cumulative production of 20
million automobiles in the U.S. Honda also marked the achievement at two
engine and two transmission plants that build the powertrains used in
Honda's U.S.-built cars and trucks.

The Marysville Auto Plant is the historic site of the first Honda Accord
produced in America on Nov. 1, 1982, and the first Japanese auto plant
to begin production of automobiles in the United States. Since then,
Honda has established automobile manufacturing operations in East
Liberty, Ohio, Lincoln, Ala., and Greensburg, Ind.

Those plants today manufacture 11 different models, including four
passenger cars and seven light trucks. A fifth U.S. plant, the
Performance Manufacturing Center, is under construction in Marysville,
Ohio, and next year will become the exclusive global production location
for the next generation Acura NSX.

"We are deeply aware that our ability to reach this milestone results
from the trust that 20 million customers have placed in our products,
and we appreciate their support over the past three decades," said
Hidenobu Iwata, president and CEO of Honda of America Mfg. and head of
Honda's North American manufacturing. "We also value the commitment made
by tens of thousands of associates at Honda and our hundreds of
suppliers in the U.S. who build products of the highest quality for our
customers."

Honda's U.S. plants produced a record 1,309,917 automobiles in 2013, an
increase of 7.4 percent from the previous annual mark set in 2012. Honda
is supported by a network of 533 suppliers in the U.S., with purchasing
of parts and components last year exceeding $23 billion.

Associates at the Marysville Auto Plant have been building the Accord
since production began nearly 32 years ago, and over that time have
produced the vast majority of Accords for the U.S. and other markets.
Today, the plant produces the Accord Sedan, Coupe and the Accord Hybrid.
Accord models also were produced for four years at the East Liberty
Auto Plant and two years at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama.

Honda's four U.S. auto plants are supported by engine manufacturing in
Lincoln, Ala. and Anna, Ohio, and the production of automatic
transmissions in Russells Point, Ohio, and Tallapoosa, Ga. These plants
have produced 23.77 million automobile engines and 18.64 million
transmissions in the United States. In 2013, nearly 95 percent of the
Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. were produced in North
America.

Over the past three years, Honda has invested approximately $1.6 billion
in its U.S. auto plants to expand production and implement new
technologies in products and manufacturing systems.

Honda U.S. Automobile Production

Honda of America Mfg.

Marysville Auto Plant

11.4 Million - since 1982

East Liberty Auto Plant

4.75 Million - since 1989

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama

3.1 Million - since 2001

Honda Manufacturing of Indiana

750,000 - since 2008

Honda Cumulative U.S. Auto Production

20 Million

About Honda's U.S. Auto Plants
The Honda of America Mfg. Marysville Auto Plant shattered its previous
all-time high by producing 492,409 vehicles last year, up 12 percent
from 2012, while the East Liberty Auto Plant produced 242,363 light
trucks last year. This resulted in record production of 734,772
Ohio-made vehicles at the two plants in 2013. This includes 69,680
vehicles for export to more than 40 countries.

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama produced 333,556 vehicles along with
their six-cylinder engines in 2013, just shy of its all-time high set in
2012, due to a major model change for the all-new 2014 Acura MDX. The
Alabama plant produced 20,466 vehicles for export to 49 countries in
2013.

Honda Manufacturing of Indiana produced a record 241,589 automobiles
last year, up 21 percent from 2012. The Indiana plant started auto
production in 2008 and added a second shift in 2011. It produced 18,559
vehicles for export last year.

Honda has the capacity to produce 1.92 million cars and light trucks in
North America at eight auto plants, including in Canada and Mexico.
Production recently began of the 2015 Honda Fit at a new auto plant in
Celaya, Mexico. With the new Celaya plant, Honda now has the capability
to build virtually every product in its lineup in North America, from
sub-compact models to light trucks.

About Honda in the United States
Honda began automobile production in the U.S. in 1982. It now operates
nine major manufacturing facilities in the United States, producing a
wide range of Honda and Acura automobiles, automobile engines and
transmissions, Honda all-terrain vehicles, and power equipment products
such as lawn mowers, mini-tillers and general purpose engines, using
domestic and globally sourced parts.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Backing out of a parking spot isn’t exactly the most challenging part of anybody’s day, but it certainly is a heck of a lot easier now than it was ten years ago thanks to the invention of the rearview camera, now standard on many 2014 model year Honda vehicles.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Honda's efforts in the areas of enhanced driver visibility have
been recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) as part of its 5-Star Safety Ratings program (also known as the
New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)), with nearly all Honda and Acura
models with rearview camera systems becoming the first vehicles in the
industry to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation for
having met its Advanced Technology Feature performance criteria (http://1.usa.gov/Pv0lKq).
Honda vehicles earning this first recognition from NHTSA for the
application of recommended rearview camera systems (what NHTSA calls
rearview video systems) include the Honda Accord Coupe, Sedan, Hybrid
and Plug-In, Civic Coupe, Sedan, Hybrid and Civic Natural Gas,
Crosstour, CR-V, CR-Z, Fit EV, Odyssey, Pilot and Ridgeline1;
as well as the Acura ILX and ILX Hybrid, MDX, TL, TSX, RDX, RLX and RLX
Hybrid (see table below). Additional Honda and Acura models that have
been equipped with standard rearview camera systems are expected to have
their rearview camera systems recognized as Advanced Technology
Features in the near future, including the all-new 2015 Fit subcompact
car and 2015 Acura TLX midsize luxury sedan, both launching in spring
2014.
"Rearview cameras are an integral part of Honda's approach to enhance
driver visibility," said Art St. Cyr, vice president of product
planning and logistics at American Honda. "By the 2015 model year all
Honda and Acura models will have rearview cameras standard on all
models, yet another example of how our company is committed to enhancing
the visibility and safety of our customers and everyone on the road."
The addition of rearview video systems to NHTSA's list of recommended
Advanced Technology Features was intended to encourage manufacturers to
improve the rearview visibility of their motor vehicle fleet; the NCAP
Advanced Technology Features also include Forward Collision Warning
(FCW) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) systems which also are offered on
many Honda and Acura vehicles. More information about crash avoidance
technologies that are part of the Government 5-Star Safety Ratings
program can be found at safercar.gov.
Starting with the 2013 Honda Crosstour, American Honda has taken a
comprehensive approach to enhancing driver visibility and confidence on
the road, beginning with the widespread application of rearview cameras.
More than 94 percent of Honda and Acura models sold in the U.S. in 2013
were equipped with standard rearview cameras.
Rearview cameras are just one aspect of American Honda's 360-degree
approach to enhanced driver visibility and situational awareness,
demonstrated by the broad application of technologies such as FCW and
LDW systems on Honda models. These systems use a camera mounted behind
the windshield or a front mount radar system to warn drivers of a
potential collision with a vehicle detected in front of them, or to
alert drivers if the car is unexpectedly moving out of a detected lane.
Other available features aimed at improving driver visibility are the
Expanded View Driver's Mirror, Honda LaneWatch display and Acura's Blind
Spot Information (BSI) system.
In addition to applying the next-generation Advanced Compatibility
Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure to most of its models, American Honda
has applied the following safety features on all its models as standard
equipment: Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with traction control; an
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); side curtain airbags (most vehicles
equipped with a rollover sensor as well); dual-stage, multiple-threshold
front airbags; and front side airbags. Other available safety and
driver-assistive technologies available on Acura vehicles include the
Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) and Lane Keeping Assist
System (LKAS). For more detailed information about Honda's history of
leadership in the development and application of advanced technologies
and vehicle designs that are meant to enhance the safety of all road
users, please view our Safety Issue Brief.Honda Safety Leadership
Honda has a long history of leadership in the development and
application of advanced technologies and designs meant to enhance the
safety of all road users, including automobile occupants, motorcycle
riders, and pedestrians. The company operates two of the world's most
sophisticated crash test facilities and is responsible for numerous
pioneering efforts in the areas of crashworthiness, airbag technology,
collision compatibility and pedestrian safety. American Honda leads the
industry for 2014 in third party crash test ratings with more models
rated TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) than any other manufacturer.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Ask anybody who’s ever started a family, and they’ll tell you that it’s every bit as rewarding and exhausting as everybody said it would be, but what parents don’t often find out until a few years into their tenures as breadwinners and heads of household is that a new family can often come with the need for a new family vehicle. For San Diego Honda customers, this should be an undeniably exciting thing.

With the recent release of the U.S. News and World Report list of 2014’s most family-friendly cars comes the announcement that the 2014 Honda Odyssey is this year’s top minivan for families.

While we understand that many consumers are not at all interested in the idea of purchasing a minivan because of long-held stigmas they may have for that classification of vehicle, the Honda Odyssey is not your typical minivan: this is the one that famously includes a built-in vacuum cleaner, but it also can feature TVs in the headrests, an HDMI input for a Blu-Ray player, and a cooled storage box for snacks and drinks. Plus, it’s extremely spacious, safe, and reliable, which are very important qualities for families looking for a people-mover that can push deep into six-digits on the odometer and put up with everything from soccer practices to cross-country vacations.

It is, quite frankly, a very excellent minivan, and we here at Pacific Honda were elated to see U.S. News include it on this year’s list of top family vehicles. Minivans were invented for families, but the Honda Odyssey has helped take the minivan to a whole new level of excellence.

Monday, March 17, 2014

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., will strategically realign its
automobile sales and marketing operations into separate divisions
organized by brand, as the Honda Division and Acura Division. The
moves, effective April 1, are intended to create greater clarity and
more cohesive sales and marketing plans that are right for the products
and customers of each brand.
In conjunction with the strategy, the following executive changes were announced:Michael Accavitti will become senior vice president
and general manager of the Acura Division. In his new role, Accavitti
will be responsible for all sales, marketing and parts and service
business for the Acura brand. Accavitti joined Honda in 2011, and is
currently the senior vice president of Auto Operations, which includes
responsibility for national marketing for the Honda and Acura brands.Jeff Conrad will become senior vice president and
general manager of the Honda Division. Conrad will be responsible for
all sales and marketing activities for the Honda brand. Conrad joined
American Honda in 1982, and is currently the vice president and general
manager of Acura Sales.
American Honda automotive operations have long been separated by
function rather than by brand. These moves will result in exclusive
divisions, with dedicated sales and marketing teams for Honda and for
Acura. Both brands will be housed under a single "American Honda Auto
Division" to be headed by John Mendel, executive vice president of what
is now called the Automobile Sales Division.
"Our goal is to accelerate the already strong sales growth of the
Honda and Acura brands through a more cohesive strategy, with a
heightened focus on the unique needs of luxury and mainstream
customers," said Mendel. "These moves will more completely align the
major activities for the Honda and Acura brands under dedicated brand
leaders to take advantage of new opportunities in the marketplace with
greater speed and efficiency."
Further, the strategy behind the creation of the Acura Division
coincides with the recently announced establishment of a new Acura
Business Planning Office, also effective April 1. This new entity will
focus on strengthening the business and product strategies for the Acura
brand. Erik Berkman, currently president of Honda R&D Americas,
Inc., will become an executive vice president of Honda North America,
Inc., and will lead the Acura Business Planning Office.
"The realignment strategy that has created a new Acura Division
reflects our growing commitment and the increased level of resources and
leadership we are focusing on the Acura brand on a global basis," said
Mendel.
In addition to steady sales growth for the Honda and Acura brands in
each of the past two years, both brands will continue to introduce new
models in 2014. This spring, Honda will launch the all-new 2015 Honda
Fit, to be followed later this year by an all-new compact Honda SUV. The
Acura brand will introduce the all-new 2015 Acura TLX luxury
performance sedan by mid-year.
"The best time to make a change is when you're in a position of
strength and we are not only coming off a great sales year, we are
continuing to create new opportunities with a series of new and exciting
Honda and Acura models," said Mendel.
American Honda enjoyed near record automobile sales of 1,525,312
vehicles in 2013, the second best sales total in company history. Sales
of Honda brand cars and trucks totaled 1,359,876 vehicles, an increase
of 7.4 percent. Honda was led by the success of core models, with the
Honda CR-V posting all-time record sales in 2013 to rank as the
top-selling SUV in America, the Civic ranking as the top-selling compact
car, the Odyssey ranking as the top-selling minivan, and Accord ranking
as the best-selling car in America with individual car-buyers.
Sales of Acura brand cars and trucks totaled 165,436 vehicles, an
increase of 5.9 percent, and its best sales total since 2007. Further,
sales of the Acura MDX and RDX in 2013 combined to achieve Acura's best
sales year ever for light trucks.

Sometime during the Christmas season, Microsoft released the new Xbox One console, the most cutting-edge and up-to-date video game console that Microsoft has ever released. While there were plenty of people willing to shell out $500 for the system right then and there, several other consumers were perfectly content with their previous-generation Xbox 360 consoles, mostly because they still ran fun games and, perhaps more importantly, were already completely paid for.

Well it turns out we're not the only ones with that concern. There are legions of Honda
hot hatch enthusiasts right here in the good old U S of A who want to
see the new Civic Type R ripping up the Great American Road. And many of
them are taking to the cyberclouds demanding that Honda bring it
Stateside, post haste.

As of the time of writing, this online petition
has gotten over 6,000 digital signatures, needing less than 1,500 more
to get to the author's target of 7,500 votes. Of course, if and when the
petition reaches its target, that still won't mean that Honda will
bring it over, but it could mean that extra bit of encouragement the
Japanese automaker's executives would need to tip the scales in our
favor.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Not that we haven’t already said this about a million times, but the 2014 Honda Accord is a really, really good car. It’s spacious, efficient, reliable, safe, and technologically-advanced, and of course, it wears the badge of one of the most trusted automakers in the world. For those reasons, Honda dealerships across the country have sold a ton of these vehicles, but we were all recently given a pretty pleasant surprise when it was revealed that consumers purchased more Honda Accord models than any other car in America for the 2013 calendar year.

Friday, March 7, 2014

'A racing car for the road' - Honda unveils the new Civic Type R Concept at Geneva Motor Show

Geneva, Switzerland, March 4, 2014 - Today sees the worldwide reveal of
the Honda Civic Type R Concept model which points to the styling
direction for the exterior design of the highly-anticipated production
new Type R that will debut in Europe during 2015.

Described by the design team as a 'racing car for the road' rather than a
high performance version of a road car, the new Type R looks set to
signal a new era for the marque – with the most extreme Civic Type R
yet. The sleek and aerodynamic profile reflects a car designed for
performance whilst maintaining the look of a road car and the
distinctive character of Type R.

The styling of the car is heavily linked to performance, with the Type R
Concept clearly showing its credentials in the exterior design. Many of
the styling features offer real performance benefits, in addition to
aesthetics, as confirmed by feedback from prototype testing at the
famous Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany. The shape and angle of the
stand-out rear spoiler, for example, has been designed to provide
additional downforce, as a direct response to information gained through
track testing. Additionally, the upper and lower front grilles have
been enlarged and air outlets on the bonnet provide cooling for the
high-output engine. The front and rear fenders have been widened to
accommodate 20-inch tyres and air outlets are integrated to optimise
airflow. When combined, these features deliver maximum cooling, greater
grip and ultimately, optimum performance.

While further detail on performance is yet to be announced, Honda has
confirmed that the forthcoming new Type R will be the first model in
Europe to feature one of its brand new VTEC TURBO engines from the Earth
Dreams Technology range. The two-litre, direct injection, four-cylinder
turbo is expected to deliver class-leading output of at least 280PS and
will be EURO 6 compliant. While turbo engines have not been seen in
Honda's production cars in Europe for some time, Honda has continued to
actively develop turbo technology on the race track and in other
regions. Honda's successful return to WTCC in 2013, has been
instrumental in gathering knowledge that has helped shape the new Type
R, providing the development team with analysis and feedback on
performance and styling collected from the track.

Honda is also using the 2014 Geneva Motor Show to showcase the
powertrain layout of the next generation NSX, set to launch in 2015.
Alongside this, Honda's next generation Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle
(FCEV) Concept, makes its European debut at the show, with the company
confirming for the first time that the production version will be on
sale in Europe from early 2016

Monday, March 3, 2014

America's midsize sedan segment is one of the most crowded and fiercely competitive in the business. The Toyota Camry has long been our nation's best seller, while the Honda Accord has dutifully come in second place, like some sort of codependent Cal Naughton Jr. riding Ricky Bobby's back bumper.

There was that one year, 2001, when the Accord briefly broke the Camry's
streak, marring what would today have been a 17-year-long run of
best-selling car titles. The Accord pulled the opposite move in 2011,
letting sales slip far enough to let not only the Toyota by, but the Nissan Altima and Ford Fusion,
as well. Aside from those anomalies, the Camry and Accord have been
first and second in this segment since before many of you readers could
even drive.

It's 2014, and these frenemies have never before faced a threat to their
world order as strong as today's class of family sedans. The
aforementioned Altima and Fusion are perhaps the most capable
challengers, but the Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Volkswagen Passat and Mazda6 are all capable of convincing new buyers to walk their way.

Autoblog predicts the lineup of best-selling midsize
sedans is about to be shuffled. "We gave the current-generation Camry a
pretty harsh review, and were it not for Toyota's fiercely loyal
customer base and increased incentive and ad spending, the king might
have already stepped aside". The question for Honda
is whether or not the Accord's latest redesign is good enough to keep
it ahead of this charging pack of competitors, or whether it follows the
leader right off the podium steps.

Few would argue that the new shape isn't an upgrade over the prior
model, though it has been hit with criticism for being too derivative.

Honda played it decidedly safe with the Accord's styling when the sedan
was redesigned last year. Few would argue that the new shape isn't an
upgrade over the prior model, though it has been hit with criticism for
being too derivative, particularly in the rear where it could be
mistaken for a 2008-2014 Hyundai Genesis (it's not the worst thing in the world to draw likenesses to class-above sedans).

The dimensions of the new design are perhaps more interesting than the
way it looks. The Accord is now some 3.6 inches shorter in length, while
also being shorter in overall height and a touch wider than the
last-generation model. The vehicle's stance certainly reflects those
changes, and the wider front fascia that flows into gently upswept
headlights looks more aggressive to our eyes, while at the same time
remaining recognizable as both a Honda and an Accord.

Those exterior dimensions, of course, also affect how much room there is
inside, and on paper, at least, there's less: 103 cubic feet of
passenger volume, down from the prior generation's massive 106.
Fortunately, the exterior shrinkage hasn't made the Accord feel
appreciably smaller on the inside, with plenty of space available in all
directions and wide, comfortable seating for all. In fact, many key
interior metrics have grown, like rear legroom and trunk space (up over a
cubic foot to 15.8). Those three missing cubic feet of passenger volume
appear to have been taken off the top, as front and rear headroom have
both taken dips. Despite our tester's moonroof, however, there was still
plenty of clearance, even for passengers with six-foot, two-inch
frames.

Many key interior metrics have grown, like rear legroom and trunk space.

The new dimensions have also dropped the Accord down a class in the
Environmental Protection Agency's classification system; whereas the
prior Accord (eighth generation, for those counting) crossed the
threshold of 120 cubic-feet of combined passenger volume and cargo space
to become a fullsize car, the new Accord's 118.8 cubic-feet of combined
interior space keeps it among the midsizers.

In top-trim Touring spec like our tester, the Accord's interior
impresses with high-quality materials like nicely trimmed leather seats
and dashboard plastics that generally look and feel better than is
typical of this pricepoint. Almost everything about the interior, from
its space and materials to the ergonomics of little things like the
smartphone-sized cubby next to the power and USB ports, is well thought
out and easy to use. Except the infotainment system. With our First
Drive of the new Accord having been conducted in a Sport model lacking
the upgraded infotainment system, this is our first chance to talk about
Honda's dual-screen system in the Accord.

The first screen is a large eight-inch unit that's deeply embedded at
the top of the center stack. This display is not touch sensitive, but
rather controlled via rotary knob controller and set of buttons at the
very bottom of the center stack. These controls, however, still require a
reach, because they are not laid flat on the center console, so they
don't fall readily to hand like many other high-end systems. Below this
big screen is a smaller display dedicated to audio functions. This
display is touch sensitive, and lets you perform simpler tasks like
switching music sources and advancing tracks.

"We have a few issues with this setup, the first being its redundancy and generally poor use of the audio-only screen."

We have a few issues with this setup, the first being its redundancy and
generally poor use of the audio-only screen. Most of the functions it
performs can also be performed on the main screen using the knob
controller, and the interface itself is more difficult to use than a
simple set of physical buttons, because tasks often require the extra
step of switching between screens. Our second gripe concerns operating
the system on the larger screen using the single rotary knob and
buttons. In particular, the Menu button manages to confuse because it
doesn't go to a top-level menu as expected. Rather, it takes you to a
menu of options for whichever part of the system you happen to be at
that moment, be it Navigation, Phone or Audio.

Lastly, the presentation of the system is decidedly a few years behind
next-gen systems coming out from Honda's competitors. The graphics,
fonts and colors layered atop a confusing hierarchy of menus and
controls makes the whole system feel like Windows 95 when everyone else
is rocking Windows 8. We've tested many other systems in this
competitive set and have found simpler schemes that rely on a single,
large display with either touchscreen or well-designed central
controller – this system is too complicated for its own good.

That doesn't mean Honda doesn't know how to do technology in these
modern times, as our Accord also came equipped with the brand's new
LaneWatch system. Any time the right turn signal is activated, a camera
mounted underneath the passenger-side mirror is used to project a view
of the car's blind spot, along with handy distance markers, on the main
infotainment screen. At first we thought LaneWatch might be an overly
complex solution to the simple problem of people not adjusting their
mirrors properly, but in practical use, we found it not only helpful,
but preferable and more trustworthy than the mirrors themselves.

"The ability to run on half its cylinders helps the Accord achieve excellent EPA-estimated fuel economy figures."

While many midsize challengers have ditched offering a six-cylinder
engine altogether, the Accord continues to make the heavier, more
powerful engine option available. In this case, it's Honda's well-proven
3.5-liter V6 that produces 278 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 252
pound-feet of torque at 4,900 rpm. While one might think the Accord
would suffer a big penalty at the pump for such a powerful mill, the
opposite is actually true, thanks in large part the Honda's
comparatively svelte curb weight and its Variable Cylinder Management
system. While cylinder deactivation technology is nothing new, its
application on a V6 is rare outside the engine bay of a half-ton pickup.

The ability to run on half its cylinders helps the Accord achieve
excellent EPA-estimated fuel economy figures of 21 miles per gallon in
the city, 34 on the highway and 26 combined. Our results were even
better, with the trip computer reporting an average return of over 30
mpg after a week of mixed driving. The official numbers put this Accord
ahead of all top-trim midsize sedans, including the Fusion, Sonata,
Optima and Malibu, all of which offer powerful turbocharged and
direct-injected four-cylinder engines in their most expensive models.
We've noticed that these high-tech forced-induction fours tend to get
strong window-sticker EPA numbers but fall flat out in the real world.
This Honda doesn't make economy promises that it can't keep.

"The Accord is still at the front of the pack in terms of handling."

Of course, the Accord's engine management system will tell three
cylinders to take a rest every chance it gets, even more so when the
car's Econ button is pressed. While amazing fuel economy is the result,
the byproduct is an occasionally rougher-running engine you can feel
through the steering wheel and pedals. The vibrations while running on
fewer cylinders might not bother some, but we found them very
noticeable, and there's no setting to turn off the Variable Cylinder
Management system entirely, so they're practically always present with
the engine dropping and bringing cylinders back online constantly. Honda
says that all Accords are also fitted with an Active Noise Cancellation
system, but we found the overall levels of noise, vibration and
harshness to be average at best – definitely not approaching industry
leaders in that area from near-luxury brand Buick, which use a similar Bose-branded noise cancellation technology in its Regal, a slightly more expensive (and smaller) rival.

The Accord doesn't sell hundreds of thousands of units per year because
it's such a smooth operator, though. We'd venture to say the car's
reputation for offering the most engaging handling among midsize sedans
is its chief selling point (along with a history of reliability and a
strong dealer network that combines to inveigle legions of repeat
customers). We're happy to report that the Accord is still at the front
of the pack in terms of handling. Pairing a very rigid unibody platform
with a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension
yields a highly diversified setup that's comfortable counteracting
imperfect city streets but also stable and composed when the pace picks
up and the turns become sharp. While the steering system has become
all-electric in this latest generation, its accuracy and weight still
feel sharp and natural, though there is a lack of feedback from the road
through the wheel. Likewise, the brakes that measure 11.5 inches up
front and 11.1 inches at the rear are go-about-your-business great,
offering perfectly natural feel through the pedal.

"There's no other family sedan on the market with mechanicals that operate in such harmony."

Having driven nearly all of this year's midsize contenders, we can say
there's no other family sedan on the market with mechanicals that
operate in such harmony. From the powertrain to the transmission to the
suspension to the steering, all of the Accord's subsystems are on the
same page with each other from the moment the start button is pressed.
Most of its competitors nail one or two of these disciplines, but rarely
do they come close to a complete package like the Accord (the Mazda6 is
the exception, though which is better is close enough to be a matter of
taste). What's more, there's even a six-speed manual transmission still
available on LX, EX and Sport models, though the EX-L V6 and our
Touring tester are only available with this well-tuned six-speed
automatic.

Really, the only fault we could find out on the road with this Accord
was not with its mechanicals, but with the Adaptive Cruise Control
system that exhibited some worrisome behavior. We set the ACC during a
long trip on the highway and discovered that when traveling through a
left-hand bend with something like a big pickup or semi truck on our
right, the radar-based system would register that vehicle as being in
our path and the Forward Collision Alert system would sound its alarms
and flash warnings in the instrument panel. At the same time, we suspect
the Brake Assist system had also precharged the brakes, because when
our foot instinctively went to tap them, we got more braking power than
we expected. An unsettling experience each time, this happened more than
once during our trip. We can't rule out that the bumper-mounted radar
on our particular test vehicle may have been misaligned or otherwise
defective, but we've experienced this fault on other automakers'
vehicles with similar systems before as well, so we doubt it.
Lastly, the Accord Touring we tested features a base price of $33,480
with a destination and handling charge of $790. At first blush, that may
seem more expensive than its pack of competitors, but note there's not
an option available that isn't standard with this trim. For instance,
while a Ford Fusion Titanium may start lower at $30,600, once
navigation, adaptive cruise control, blind spot alert, lane departure
warning, heated seats and sunroof are added, its price has ballooned to
$34,410.

"The Accord ups the ante with its improved design, more interior space and efficiency that belies the power of its remarkable V6."

What we find with the 2014 Accord Touring is a lineup-leading model that
bodes well for the future of Honda. Still among the very best-handling
midsizers in this market, the Accord ups the ante with its improved
design, more interior space where it counts and efficiency that belies
the power of its remarkable V6. The issues we identified with the
infotainment system may be a sticking point for some, especially those
comparing the experience closely across the entire segment, but there
are lesser trim levels available that go without navigation yet gain a
much more straightforward interface. Indeed, it's not so egregious a
failing that Accord sales have suffered because of it, and we don't see
anything about this new generation that will threaten its place among
the segment's top sellers.

"At this point, the only thing preventing the Accord from being America's best-selling car are a bunch of stubborn Camry buyers."

4761 CONVOY ST | KEARNY MESA

From 1993 through 2011, Pacific Honda has been #1 in San Diego County for New Car and Certified Pre-Owned sales. Therefore, you can rest assured knowing that you are getting a great vehicle at a GREAT price!
*Based on information provided by American Honda Sales Records from 1993-2011.